What Is Hari Kuyō?

Every year on February 8 (and in some regions, December 8), Japan observes Hari Kuyō (針供養) — a memorial day dedicated to old and broken sewing needles.

It’s not a major public holiday.

It’s a small, gentle tradition often kept by people who sew — from kimono makers and tailors to hobbyists at home.

But its meaning reaches far beyond sewing.

The Ritual: Letting Needles Rest in Something Soft

The most well-known part of Hari Kuyō is the offering:
Worn sewing needles are placed into a soft block of tofu or konnyaku.

It looks unusual at first — tiny needles standing quietly in a square of tofu — but the meaning becomes obvious once you understand the symbolism:

• needles work hard, pushing through fabric
• they become bent, dull, or broken
• the tofu is soft, gentle, and forgiving
• it’s a final resting place after a year of steady, often invisible work

It’s like telling them:
“Thank you for your service. You can rest now.”

This tenderness toward tools is something deeply rooted in Japanese culture.

Where Hari Kuyō Happens

Hari Kuyō isn’t only done at home.

Across Japan, you’ll find ceremonies at temples that traditionally protect artisans and craftspeople.

Some of the most well-known places include:

• Tokyo – Sensoji Temple (Asakusa)
  Women from sewing schools, kimono makers, and professionals bring their needles to offer them at the altar.
  Often there is a tray lined with tofu where the needles are placed one by one.
  
• Kyoto – Horin-ji Temple (Arashiyama)
  Known as a guardian temple for crafts, Horin-ji hosts Hari Kuyō with blessings for improved skill and safety in future sewing work.
  
• Osaka – Shitennoji Temple
  One of Japan’s oldest temples, Shitennoji holds a ceremony where people bring their used needles for purification and a gentle farewell.

These rituals are small, quiet, and often attended by people who have deep ties to textile work — kimono makers, tailors, and students.

Why Needles Matter So Much

Hari Kuyō isn’t really about needles.

It’s about a way of thinking:

• noticing the tools that support your daily life
• acknowledging what has helped you
• remembering that even small things deserve gratitude
• treating objects with mindfulness rather than wastefulness

This mindset appears in many parts of Japanese culture — including kintsugi, the practice of repairing broken ceramics with gold. If you’re curious, I wrote about it here in our Kintsugi Repair Kit page.

A Tradition That Still Makes Sense Today

In an age of fast consumption, where broken things are quickly replaced, Hari Kuyō feels surprisingly modern.

It reminds us to pause before throwing something away,

to appreciate the quiet work of everyday objects,

and to move through life with a little more awareness.

It’s not about perfection.

It’s about attention.

And maybe that’s why this small tradition has lasted for centuries.